The Chase Sapphire Reserve's partnership with Lyft delivers real value that actually moves the needle on your annual fee. With a $10 monthly credit plus 5x points on rides through September 2027, this benefit can easily save you $120+ annually—but only if you know how to maximize it.

Here's everything you need to know about scoring maximum value from this partnership, including recent changes that might surprise longtime cardholders.

Current Chase Sapphire Reserve Lyft Benefits (2025)

As of April 2025, Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders receive two key Lyft benefits:

$10 Monthly Lyft Credit

• Value: Up to $120 annually
• Duration: Through September 30, 2027
• How it works: Automatically applies in the Lyft app when you use your Sapphire Reserve as the payment method
• Important: Credits expire monthly and don't roll over

5x Points on Lyft Rides

• Earning rate: 5 total points per dollar spent
• Duration: Through September 30, 2027
• Breakdown: 1x base points + 4x bonus points
• Value: Approximately 7.5-11 cents per dollar when transferred to partners

How to Activate Your Lyft Benefits

Getting started is straightforward, but you must manually add your card to the Lyft app:

1. Download the latest Lyft app and create an account
2. Add your Chase Sapphire Reserve as the default payment method
3. Verify the $10 credit appears in your payment options (usually within 24 hours)
4. Start earning automatically on all eligible rides

Pro tip: If multiple people in your household have Sapphire Reserve cards, only the first card added to a Lyft account receives the monthly credit. Plan accordingly if you're sharing rides.

What Rides Qualify (And What Don't)

Eligible Ride Types

• Standard Lyft rides
• Extra Comfort rides
• Lyft XL (larger vehicles)
• Lyft Black (premium vehicles)
• Lyft Black SUV

Excluded Services

• Wait & Save rides (budget option)
• Lyft bike rentals
• Lyft scooter rentals
• Tips and fees
• Gift card purchases

The credit applies only to the ride subtotal, so surge pricing and tips won't eat into your $10 monthly benefit.

The Big Change: Why Earnings Dropped from 10x to 5x

Long-time Chase cardholders might feel shortchanged by the recent partnership update. Previously, Sapphire Reserve earned 10x points on Lyft with no monthly credit.

According to NerdWallet's analysis, this change represents a broader trend toward "coupon book" style benefits in premium credit cards.

The Math on Old vs. New Benefits

Old system (through March 2025):

• 10x points per dollar spent
• No monthly credit
• Better for spending $125+ monthly on Lyft

New system (April 2025-September 2027):

• 5x points per dollar spent
• $10 monthly credit
• Better for spending under $125 monthly on Lyft

Break-even analysis: If you typically spend more than $124 per month on Lyft, you might have preferred the old 10x earning structure. For most users spending $50-75 monthly, the new system provides better value.

According to Lyft's official partnership page, the credit automatically applies to eligible rides and can be combined with other platform discounts for maximum savings.

Smart Strategies to Maximize Value

Strategy 1: Use Your Credit Early Each Month

The $10 credit doesn't roll over, so use it by month-end or lose it. Consider scheduling rides for the beginning of each month if your usage varies.

Strategy 2: Stack with DashPass Discounts

Sapphire Reserve includes a complimentary DashPass subscription (activate by December 31, 2027). Link this to your Lyft account for additional ride discounts:

• 5% off on-demand rides
• 10% off scheduled airport rides (up to 4 per month)
• 2 free Priority Pickup upgrades monthly

Strategy 3: Choose Lyft Over Other Rideshare Apps

With 5x points plus the monthly credit, Lyft often beats Uber for total value—even if Uber's base fare is slightly cheaper. Run the numbers including your credit and points value.

Strategy 4: Plan Airport Transportation

Airport rides are perfect for maximizing this benefit. A typical $40-60 airport ride becomes much more affordable with your $10 credit, and you'll earn solid points on the remainder.

For additional airport convenience, consider pairing your ride with expedited security screening services or travel insurance for comprehensive trip protection.

How This Compares to Competitors

American Express Platinum: $200 Uber Cash

• Annual value: $200 ($15 monthly + $20 in December)
• Flexibility: Works for both Uber rides and Uber Eats
• Restrictions: Must use Uber ecosystem

Chase Sapphire Reserve: $120 Lyft Credit

• Annual value: $120 ($10 monthly)
• Flexibility: Lyft rides only, but pairs with 5x points
• Restrictions: Lyft-specific, no food delivery option

The verdict: Amex Platinum offers more total credit value, but Chase's benefit pairs with strong point earning. If you're already in the Lyft ecosystem or prefer Chase Ultimate Rewards flexibility, the Sapphire Reserve can be more valuable overall.

Who Benefits Most from This Partnership

Perfect for:

• Urban dwellers who regularly use rideshare services
• Travelers who prefer Lyft for airport transportation
• Moderate spenders who use $30-80 monthly in rideshare services
• Points maximizers who value Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partners

Skip if:

• You rarely use rideshare services (less than $10 monthly)
• You're exclusively loyal to Uber
• You primarily use public transportation or your own vehicle
• You heavily relied on the previous 10x earning rate for high-volume spending

Bottom Line: Is the Lyft Partnership Worth It?

The Chase Sapphire Reserve's Lyft benefits provide genuine value for regular rideshare users. The $120 annual credit alone covers about 15% of the card's $795 annual fee, making it a meaningful part of the value equation.

However, this benefit works best as part of the overall Sapphire Reserve package, not as a standalone reason to get the card. Factor in the $300 annual travel credit, lounge access, and other premium benefits when evaluating total value.

For most cardholders spending $30-100 monthly on Lyft, this partnership delivers solid, usable value that helps justify the premium annual fee.

If you're comparing travel cards, also consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred which earns 5x points on Lyft (without the monthly credit) at a lower $95 annual fee, or explore our guide on choosing the right travel credit card for your spending habits.

Ready to start earning? The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers this Lyft partnership plus a comprehensive suite of travel benefits designed for frequent travelers who want maximum flexibility with their points.